Don’t forget, both Montgomery and Amaro could possibly win the financial idiots award of the year also, when our Phillies hit about 90+ losses with the third highest payroll at around 180 million. Not to mention the salary they would have to eat for most trades due to some ridiculous contracts made by Ruben. I think Stanford is calling for that diploma back. Lol.

Should be a good All Star game this year. I was pleased to see many players picked that are playing well now as opposed to picking players that have had great careers. Takes gonads to leave off guys like Posey and Votto and go with Josh Harrison.

I really shouldn’t even spend any time thinking about this, let alone writing it, but I did have a thought cross my mind last night that might have some truths, or it might just be fanspeak.

I wonder if the Mariners and Phillies might wind up trade partners in the coming days, or a short amount of weeks.

The thoughts that crossed my mind, in no particular order include

– Ruben and Jack Z have done business before. I could see where that makes it easier to work together on a personnel move.

– The Mariners, although they’ve passed this way before are knocking on the door of contention, and I could see where they might feel some urgency to take a final step, like acquiring a veteran that might make a difference.

– Although the M’s were mentioned as a possibility in the Price sweepstakes, and I suppose might be, their starting rotation is not exactly weak. Not that there’s a darned thing wrong with strengthening a strength if that’s the most fathomable way to try to win. But it’s no secret that like so many clubs, offense is more of a glaring sore spot. With a need at shortstop, and first base, perhaps they convince themselves that changes of scenery might sponsor strong finishes from a JRoll, or Howard.

– I don’t know this to be a factor at all, but I could see where the M’s are feeling some peer pressure in 2 regards. One, in their own backyard, the Seahawks have set a new standard of what’s accepted in the market, and of course, Oakland, in their own division, has taken a big step toward broadcasting a win now mentality that they might feel some pressure to keep up with.

– I don’t know what prospect types might be expendable, or appealing. Whether he still feels the same as his then public statement about being receptive to a possible deal if others go and if winning is that far away, the Phils have fallen to Rollins public qualifier, and the M’s have a Double A SS prospect that might enable Jimmy to coerce an extra year commitment.
Or he might be okay with just this year, and his option year.

We’ll see if this is ridiculous, or if the GMs try to negotiate something. Obviously, picking up pay portions complicates it.

By the time Liquidity Season is past, some club(s) will take chances as counter moves to the competition.

The public will scoff, particularly if a Howard is moved at any hope toward helping a contender, but that Mariner offense could use a push, and Howard at least can provide hope to the change of scenery possibility.